Big brother, big heart

We learn to love when we don’t have enough and someone is kind to us.

Both my parents are agricultural workers in Mattawa, Washington. They don’t get paid much for the work that they do.

But my brother and I never felt poor. We were loved, and we knew it.

I can see the love we received in my brother.

He has moved through the world with love and kindness.

Faustino Dominguez came to the United States at a young age with all odds against him. But the challenges just made Faustino stronger and more determined. He was high school valedictorian, and was accepted to the University of Washington in Seattle to study Early Childhood Education and Family Studies. He also earned his master’s in teaching with bilingual endorsement.

He was the first person in our family to pursue higher education and attend college.

At age 19, Faustino struggled to find work while living in Seattle. With no background experience besides agricultural work, many doors were shut.

However, Faustino didn’t stop searching.

He had enjoyed his volunteer tutoring experience in high school, so he decided to look for a job within education.

After many doors were closed, one finally opened.

He was hired at a preschool to teach kids about sports, math, and Spanish. He worked there for five years, throughout college and grad school.

After graduating with his bachelors at age 23, money finally started coming in instead of going out – and whatever money Faustino made, he shared.

When I got older and went through some tough times, my brother gave me a call. He wanted to help.

During his master’s program at age 24, Faustino had barely enough money for tuition and to pay his own bills, but he was still reaching out to help others – just as he helped me.

Once Faustino finished school, he was hired to teach math and science in Spanish to 2nd and 3rd graders. With more money in his bank account, he was able to be even more generous.

The more Faustino earned, the more he gave away.

He bought groceries for my parents.

He remembered the sacrifices mom and dad had made for us. Now that he was able, he wanted to say thank you – so he paid that love forward, many times over.

Not only does he share his money, but he also shares his experiences with everyone around him.

Growing up we never left our hometown of roughly 9,000 in population. Not having the finance necessary to travel, we didn’t see much besides nearby towns.

However, my brother would drive us to Seattle whether it was for a week or just a weekend in order for us to get that experience.

These visits to Seattle, Kirkland and Shoreline opened up my eyes to the possibilities in the world. I knew what my brother was doing, but to travel and see his world gave me a whole new perspective.

I learned so much from him, academically and emotionally. He taught me to work hard at school and to control emotions in tough situations.

I can remember one of our conversations the last time he took me to Seattle, before starting my own journey as a college student in Oregon.

“Whatever you end up doing, always make sure to just work hard, have a plan,” he said. “And most importantly be kind, because the world can be cruel and you will see that.”

We both cried. That conversation changed my life forever.

I have tried to follow his advice since then. I’ve worked hard at everything I do.

Inspired by my brother, I achieved a lot at my community college. I made the Dean’s List, won soccer awards and graduated with a 3.9 GPA.

During my final year at Blue Mountain Community College in Pendleton, Oregon, I was the captain of the soccer team, was selected as an All-Star player in the league, and ended up becoming the Student Athlete of the Year.

These achievements, inspired by my brother, opened doors to the next chapter of my life here at Carroll College.

My brother gave me a gift I can never repay.

The best I can do is follow his example. No matter the challenges and setbacks, I will always try to be kind to others and give back.

I want to be able to pass the love I received on to my younger brothers.

My brother gave us the blueprint for what is possible, and now it is up to us to follow it, each in our own way, but always with love and kindness.

Faustino learned to be kind when we had nothing.

Now that he has something, he’s reaching out.

That’s how kindness is born and nurtured.